University at Buffalo statement on Ebola virus and campus health

The University at Buffalo has released the following statement
on the Ebola virus and campus health.

· The University at Buffalo is committed to the health of
our students and to the health of our entire campus community.
Members of the UB community share the international concern
about the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. The university has
instituted protocols, in accordance with guidelines provided by the
Centers for Disease Control, to ensure the ongoing health of our
community.

· At the campus level, we are monitoring the situation,
but we don’t feel there’s any reason for the UB
community to be alarmed.

· For the past several years, UB has examined the health
records of all students prior to the start of the semester to
ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date.

· For all incoming international students, this protocol
was continued. But, in an abundance of caution, the
university conducted additional health screenings of students
entering the university from Ebola-affected countries in West
Africa. It is important to note that students travelling from
West Africa will already have undergone a thorough screening by the
airlines.

· When they checked in at the university about two weeks
ago, students from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa were
directed to a registered nurse for a health screening, using CDC
and county health department guidelines. All of the students
appeared healthy, and no further health screening was required.

· Our records indicate 21 students from Nigeria are
enrolled at the university this fall. Fortunately, Nigeria is
not experiencing a severe outbreak.

· As the university completes the first full week of the
fall semester, there have been no reports of illnesses that are out
of the ordinary. If we determine that further screening of a
student is required during the semester, the university will follow
protocols provided by the county health department.

· In advance of the fall semester, UB Student Health
Services partnered with UB Campus Living (on-campus housing) to
prepare their staff and enhance their understanding of the illness,
its symptoms and the campus response.

· We are emphasizing that the Ebola virus is not
typically shared by casual contact between roommates, and there is
very low risk for spread of the virus at the
university, in Buffalo and in the U.S. Additionally, a
thorough review by the university has indicated that no UB faculty
or staff members have been identified as having recently been in
West African areas impacted by the outbreak.

· While much of this communication took place on a
one-to-one basis in preparation for the start of the new academic
year, the university’s Student Health Services office
prepared campus-wide information for students, faculty and staff to
provide them with facts about the Ebola virus.